How to Make a Belly Dance Practice Plan

Don't be an Allen Iverson (if you don't know the reference click the link, its a fun one). Practice is essential to your development as a dancer. For all of the amazing benefits, all it costs is time and energy. The questions I often hear are: “What do I practice? Do I drill or just dance? How long and how often?” These are exactly the type of questions you should be asking! In this blog, I'll be showing you my personal dance blueprint. Keep in mind, to get the most out of a personal practice plan, having a private lesson from an instructor can really guide you in the right direction.

For this practice plan, it is set for an hour. You can change the times to cater to whatever works for your life.

Review (5 Minutes) - Go over previous plans to see what you need to work on. Input what drills you plan on doing today.

Full Body Stretch (5 Minutes) - Take at least 5 minutes to warm up your body. Don't skip this step.

Free Dance (10 Minutes) - One of my favorite parts of my practice. I put on whatever music I'm feeling at the moment and just move. You're not looking for technique here, just getting your body and soul warmed up.

Drill 1 (10 Minutes) - This can be anything from shimmies to traveling steps. I recommend picking the drill you least like doing first.

Break (5 Minutes) - Refresh, grab some water and refocus!

Drill 2 (10 Minutes) - Same as before but a different move set.

Drill 3 (10 Minutes) - Same as before but a different move set.

Cool Down (5) - Give yourself time to cool down and stretch.

Reflection

After is a set of boxes for you to reflect on your practice time. Don't be too harsh but do be honest. This is for your personal use and growth. It's also great to look back at past practices!

Don't Have Time?

An hour of time isn't always available. If so take this plan and reduce it to one 10 minute drill. Put on music that makes you happy and motivates you to move. Even just 10 minutes of practice a day can help your dance.

Unsure of What to Practice?

This can be hard. The usual response I hear to the question is "Everything". Try to really be specific about what you need to work on today and what is realistic to your ability. If you are truly unsure, reach out to your current teacher for advice. You can also ask for a private dance lesson to help them craft you a plan.